What role does obesity play in your patients’ PCOS?
Learn about the connection between this common comorbidity for your patients with obesity and how it can affect their health
PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women1,2
Nearly
5 MILLION
US women of reproductive age have PCOS1,2
Symptoms include3,4:
- Menstrual irregularities
- Excess androgen levels
- Enlarged and dysfunctional ovaries
- Metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance
Obesity and excess adipose tissue are underlying factors that may worsen PCOS5
Nearly
38%-88%
of women with PCOS are overweight or living with obesity5-7
Increased fat distribution is associated with higher circulating levels of insulin, which leads to increased insulin resistance and causes further androgen excess.5,8
Obesity influences gonadotropin production, and imbalances lead to further ovulatory dysfunction and menstrual abnormalities.8,9
BRING OBESITY TO THE FOREFRONT
WITH YOUR PATIENTS WITH PCOS
With a 5% to 15% or greater weight loss, your patients can improve certain PCOS symptoms, including10*:
- hyperandrogenism
- oligomenorrhea
- anovulation
*Clinical efficacy can vary among individual patients.
Obesity is caused by a range of factors
Patients may be waiting for HCPs to take that important first step and discuss weight management
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and diabetes. Updated March 24, 2020. Accessed June 15, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html
2. De Leo V, Musacchio MC, Cappelli V, et al. Genetic, hormonal and metabolic aspects of PCOS: an update. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2016;14:38.
3. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Updated January 2022. Accessed July 27, 2022. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn
4. Endocrine Society. Patient resources: polycystic ovary syndrome. Updated January 23, 2022. Accessed June 15, 2022. https:/www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/pcos
5. Barber TM, Franks S. Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2021;95(4):531-541.
6. Balen AH, Conway GS, Kaltsas G, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome: the spectrum of the disorder in 1741 patients. Hum Reprod. 1995;10(8):2107-2111.
7. Legro RS. The genetics of obesity: lessons for polycystic ovary syndrome. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2000;900:193-202.
8. Cena H, Chiovato L, Nappi RE. Obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, and infertility: a new avenue for GLP-1 receptor agonists. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;105(8):e2695-e2709.
9. Snider AP, Wood JR. Obesity induces ovarian inflammation and reduces oocyte quality. Reproduction. 2019;158(3):R79-R90.
10. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM; and Reviewers of the AACE/ACE Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(suppl 3):1-203.
